November 27, 2014

Some Memories Never Fade

Sean Taylor was born in Miami on April 1, 1983.

Perhaps by fate, or maybe by coincidence, it was later that same year that the University of Miami, behind a quarterback named Kosar and coach named Schnellenberger (seen below with QB Jim Kelly), would win their first college football National Championship by beating Nebraska in the Orange Bowl.

That game, which put the UM program on the big-time college football map, has often been referred to as the "Miracle in Miami". Sean's Taylor's birth in April of that year could also be seen as a miracle for what this young man would soon bring to his team and its fans in his home town.

Sean grew up in a tough South Dade neighborhood and later attend Gulliver High School where he would help them win the Class 2A State Title. His spectacular play would help him become the #1 ranked prep player in Miami-Dade County by the Miami Herald. Sean was so dominant at the high school level that he played multiple positions including running back, linebacker and defensive back.

After a spectacular Senior season and a hotly contested recruiting battle, Sean decided to attend the University of Miami. It would prove to be somewhat ironic that Sean would wind up being one of only four true freshmen to play in 2001 on the Hurricanes fifth National Championship team.

Even at this early stage, Sean's life had seemingly come full circle. From being born during the Miracle in Miami season of 1983 to contributing to what was arguably the best UM team ever, the Canes 2001 championship team. Sean Taylor, a hometown boy had already grown to become a hometown hero and would eventually become a true legend to Canes fans in the 305 and beyond.

As Junior at UM in 2003, after beating FSU at Doak Campbell Stadium in the pouring rain seemingly all by himself, Sean would win a slew of college football awards. After that season, Sean decided it was time to take the next step in his carrer and would opt for the NFL draft.

He would be the first of six Canes selected in the first round that year (an NFL record) when he was drafted fifth overall by the Washington Redskins.

By 2006 there was no doubt that Sean Taylor had become the dominant player at his position and was honored by being selected to the NFL Pro-bowl that year. He was nicknamed "Meast" by teammates for being part man, part beast. Taylor would become one of the most feared hitters in the NFL and gained the respect of his peers at the highest level of competition.

Entering his third year as a Redskin, Sean seemed to be at the top of his game and the NFL talent pool. By the tenth week of the NFL season he was tied for the league lead in interceptions and was considered an automatic selection for his second straight Pro-Bowl.

Then came the fateful night of November 27, 2007.Sean Taylor, while at home asleep with his wife and 18 month-old daughter, awoke to a loud noise in his home. In an effort to protect his family, Sean confronted the would-be burglars. He was shot once and would later die from the severe loss of blood as his femoral artery was torn apart by the single bullet.

That night would end the life of a real Hurricane hero.

Sean Taylor's sudden and tragic death shocked his family, friends, teammates and the Hurricane faithful. When he died the day following the shooting, we promised to never forget his contributions to the University of Miami. This blog article is our simple way of proving that we have not forgotten Sean Taylor, #26, who played at The U and was proud to wear the orange and green.

Some memories never fade.

And even now, if you close your eyes, you can probably still see him, #26 back peddaling into open space, picking off another deep pass, splashing through the rain and the mud at the Doak, weaving down the field behind several blockers, refusing to be denied and diving into the end zone for a pick six.

That is how Miami Hurricane fans will remember Sean Taylor.

As a miracle of a man who at times seemed completely capable of beating the other team all by himself.

I think there are THREE reasons why he ultimately withdrew his name from consideration for the PSU head coaching job: 1) it was clear (to him and his agent) that PSU was not going to make him an offer; 2) letting the matter drag out any longer would diminish his standing at UM and hurt ongoing recruiting efforts; and 3) he (and his agent) could leverage the PSU "overture" to strengthen his deal at UM.

Posted by: nemo2002 | November 28, 2014 at 03:14 PM

From what I've read...

#1 Correct.

#s 2 & 3...While He was telling the SoFlo media He was not a candidate for any other job, His name was still in the hat for the PSU gig. Him & His agent were waiting to see if Franklin would accept the PSU gig. IOWs, He NEVER withdrew His name!

Louisville and Nebraska have a better winning culture than we do. They are more ready to execute what they do. We have a more talented roster than both of those teams. Al flat out, with plenty of time to prepare, did not have this team ready to play Louisville. Period. Just as he did not have them ready to play Louisville in the bowl game. Anybody noticing a trend here? If there is one thing consistent about Al it's his ability to have this team play flat, and lose to inferior teams. I'm not saying he had to be undefeated to keep his job. I'm saying we arguably could/should be undefeated. We should at least be close. In year 4 with the roster he has, you come more prepared than he did v. Louisville, you beat Nebraska, you beat GT, you close the door on FSU and under absolutely no circumstance do you lose to UVA. This guy is a joke. And as far as giving this guy a 5th year because he's entitled to it, lmao. Welcome to 2014. This isn't 1990. With the built in advantages that Miami has, even with the excuse that keeps on excusing, you need to win in year 3. Al can't even beat UVA in year 4. No 5th year, hell no. He doesn't even want to be here.

Go canes.... Everybody here talks freely about AGs strength: recruiting. Nobody denies it. Because of this talent he has brought in, we could very easily have been undefeated or a 1 loss team. We play in the freakin ACC coastal for god's sake.

You mention all those players that have developed, yet our record v power 5 teams is what? Hmmm... I wonder why that could be?

Posted by John Taylor on November 28, 2014, 5:2
And let the Will Muschamp Watch in College Station commence in earnest.

Less than 24 hours after Texas A&M closed out the regular season with a 23-17 loss to LSU, head coach Kevin Sumlin announced that the football program has, ahem, “parted ways” with defensive coordinatorMark Snyder. Linebackers coach Mark Hagan will serve as the interim coordinator for the Aggies’ bowl appearance.

Snyder, who just completed his third season with the Aggies, will be due $700,000 in salary through March of 2016.

“Mark is an outstanding coach and even better person, but he understands the production needed to be better,” Sumlin said in a portion of his statement.

The fact that Snyder was jettisoned is far from surprising. This season, A&M’s defense was 11th or worse among the 14 teams in the SEC in nearly every major statistical category. Entering Week 14, the Aggies were 77th nationally and 11th in the conference — ahead of only Kentucky (30.1), Vanderbilt (32.4) and South Carolina (32.7) — in points allowed per game (27.7). When it comes to yards allowed, they were even worse: at 445.2 yards per game, the Aggies were dead last in the conference and 100th in the country.

As to where Sumlin will, or should, begin his search, look no further than the deposed Florida Gators head coach. While his time in the Swamp was far from a success, Will Muschamp is still widely viewed as one of the top defensive coordinators in the country. Until there’s a resolution one way or the other, it will be Muschamp’s name that’s first off the tongue of an Aggie fan — and should be first on Sumlin’s coordinator to-do list.

Dude that is the DUMBEST thing EVER....so we should all except mediocrity like you huh....why does this troll have a voice? why has he been able to blog so long and we have to suck it up? sheesh he obviously isn't a fan and has an agenda....a Mediocre on but none the less an agenda....UGH man!!

12%Forever Troll......because that is how REAL CANES ROLL...U can see your way out the way...

It goes both ways. I won't be mad if someone wants to root for their team regardless, but I can't pretend that I want Al here even if he wins big in the next two games. This guy has to go at almost all costs.

Well Al also told the former players to come back but they aren't allowed on the sideline.

But anybody can Google Miami and see how rich the history is with not just winning national championships or playing for them in the past 30 years 5 of 10. and the x amount of former players in the nfl or retired ... countless all americans. Produce or leave. Another year. Man we could be in a bigger whole with him but another coach with a Miami mindset could come in and win it all and we will Have Golden to Thank ? Idk.. I still think he is too green or too much of a Temple/Virginia or Penn State mind set to play with a win or realize that your better than the other team. #trusttheprocess

They will be mad!! They'll say you're not a real fan because a real fan never roots for their team to lose... They be wrong. No real fan blindly supports this fool simply because the AD has been castrated by a lame duck prez.

AM, Larry was getting out recruited in certain positions. His overall team was strong...much stronger than this one, but he failed to recruit quarterbacks or wide receivers. The latter created a structural imbalance which imploded the 2006 Canes.

360Cane... some changes are coming.... i think we waiting until the season is over... if our DC aint gone, a position coach or two will be.... DBs n DL..... IMO

Posted by: DeeCane | November 29, 2014 at 08:18 AM

I sure hope so. 6-5 in the ACC with 10 draft prospects just isn't even good at all.

They'll need to do something for me to purchase those season tickets. Wasted a lot of money this past decade however spending tailgates with friends and family is priceless. Just wish my []_[] showed they actually cared about those W and L columns. In the crappy ACC, a recruiting hotbed and still haven't seen a CG or even played in one. Pathetic.

They'll need to do something for me to purchase those season tickets. Wasted a lot of money this past decade however spending tailgates with friends and family is priceless. Just wish my []_[] showed they actually cared about those W and L columns. In the crappy ACC, a recruiting hotbed and still haven't seen a CG or even played in one. Pathetic.

Posted by: 360Cane | November 29, 2014 at 08:57 AM

Yea... I'm done too. I'm not wasting my money next year. They're not competitive in the worst division of the worst conference in football... And they're happy about it!!! No thank you.

Anyone notice the Canes won again on the hardwood? Took the pedal off the medal in the second half vs. USAlabama, but still showing how they can look when on. Big SM had one amazing dunk in this game, with the one handed catch and windmill like move while flying. Angel and Sheldon were amazing transfer pickups for Coach L.

I've had a great visit with my family this week. My Dad was telling me how instrumental the U of Pitt administration was "back in the day" in helping to launch the U of Miami. He said The U would not be THE U without the efforts of a lot of great folks at Pitt.
My Dad has dementia but can still remember the most awesome historical events, especially as they relate his time in Miami.